LUDHIANA, 3 July 2025: A quiet revolution is taking root in Punjab as farmers are transforming into entrepreneurs, thanks to the support and training provided by the Skill Development Centre at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).
Traditionally rooted in cultivation, farmers in the state are now exploring agri-business opportunities ranging from organic produce to healthy, value-added food products. PAU’s expert guidance in marketing, packaging, and branding is helping them make this critical leap from growers to business owners, ensuring their products reach wider markets while maintaining quality and sustainability.
Three inspiring success stories — Gurinder Kaur, her daughter Sunita, and Kuldeep Singh — highlight the centre’s transformative impact.
Gurinder and Sunita, from Patiala, have used their PAU training to develop healthy homemade bakery products. Their biscuits made from wheat, barley, oats, khapli, besan, kodra, and ragi papad are naturally sweetened with jaggery instead of refined sugar, offering a nutritious and delicious alternative to processed snacks.
“PAU’s training helped us improve our recipes and taught us the importance of packaging and branding,” said Gurinder Kaur.
Kuldeep Singh, a progressive farmer from Naraingarh in Fatehgarh Sahib, has been practising organic farming for five years, with a focus on providing organic wheat, rice, and jaggery. Currently pursuing organic certification, he credits PAU’s Skill Development Centre for building his confidence to market his products effectively.
“Organic farming is my passion, but turning it into a viable business was tough,” he said. “With PAU’s guidance, I now see it as profitable and sustainable.”
Vice-Chancellor S.S. Gosal emphasized that skill-based training is essential in today’s competitive environment. “Our Skill Development Centre enhances employability and contributes to the socio-economic growth of Punjab,” he noted.
During a recent visit to PAU, the entrepreneurs also received branding and marketing insights from Dr. Ramandeep Singh, Director of the School of Business Studies and Principal Investigator of the NIDHI-TBI project. Food safety practices and best agricultural methods were also part of their training, ensuring their businesses are built on solid, sustainable foundations.
With this farmer-to-entrepreneur shift, PAU is planting the seeds for a stronger, more resilient rural economy in Punjab, driven by innovation, sustainability, and skill development.
